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	United, We Will Never Be Defeated: Guatemala’s Victory Over Monsanto an article by Cultural Survival (slightly abridged) On September 2nd the people of Sololá rose to their feet to protect what is considered by many to be the heart and body of the Mayan civilization, corn. Thousands of people, young and old, peacefully marched and shut down the main intersections on the inter- american highway that connects the western part of Guatemala to the capital. Their demand? Keep Monsanto out of Guatemala. Thousands of people stand in solidarity to protest the Congressional Decree 19-2014. click on photo to enlarge In June of this year a decision was made by the Congress of Guatemala, without the consent of its people. The Decree 19-2014 known as the Monsanto Law was approved by over 100 congress people. This new law would require all farmers who cultivate corn to purchase their seeds from Monsanto. Anyone caught cultivating corn from their own seeds would be fined and could even face jail time. These new seeds are genetically modified to produce only once and no seed taken from them can be replanted as they become sterile. Every year farmers would have to buy new seeds in order to produce corn . . . In response to the passing of this law, the indigenous municipality and community leaders of Sololá organized a mass education campaign on Sunday August 31st, throughout the various communities in Sololá. The information was given in the local language, Kaqchikel, and each community leader stated the benefits and consequences of this seed law, as well as who Monsanto was and their history in other countries. People were outraged that Congress would even consider replacing their seeds that have been passed down for thousands of years. Some town elders held back their tears and asked their communities to stand with them in solidarity to protect their seeds. The town of Sololá blocked some of the main intersections to the capital with thousands of people holding signs that read “ Monsanto Kills”, “No To Genetically Modified Seeds” and “Marcelino Chuta, Flavio Yojcom and Francisco Tambriz, Traitors To The People of Solola”. In the capital, the community of Totonicapan gathered to protest in front of Congress as the members arrived to discuss a solution. People stood for hours under the bright sun in the morning and continued to stay strong in the chilly winds of the late afternoon. Word came around 6:45pm that Congress would enter a three-day session to repeal the law. The news was received with great joy, but leaders were hesitant to celebrate until the document had officially been signed into effect. Two days later, on September 4th, with a majority vote, the Congress of Guatemala announced the immediate repeal of Decree 19-2014 or Monsanto Law. Congress and its members made a public apology to the people of Guatemala for making a poor decision for the future of the country. Despite hundreds of years of oppression and marginalization, the people of Guatemala stood up against their oppressive leaders and demanded justice. The victory over Monsanto is a glimpse of the power of this country. Community radios from all over the country broadcast the event, which will go down in history as the victory over Monsanto. (Click here for a Spanish version of this article)		DISCUSSION Question(s) related to this article: Indigenous peoples, Are they the true guardians of nature? * * * * * Latest reader comment: This discussion question applies to the following articles: Indígenas del Cauca: “Somos pueblos de cultura de paz” Colombia: The Indigenous of Cauca: "We are a people with a culture of peace" Unidos, Jamas Seremos Vencidos: La Victoria de de Guatemala En Contra de Monsanto United, We Will Never Be Defeated: Guatemala’s Victory Over Monsanto Confederación Campesina del Perú presente en marcha de Cumbre de Pueblos People's Summit in Peru: “The Earth is burning, let´s change the system!” Canada: Kinder Morgan leaves Burnaby Mountain in win for pipeline protesters Los indígenas de Brasil consiguen una victoria territorial a escala nacional Brazilian Indians secure nationwide land victory Mining interests in Guatemala challenged by indigenous direct democracy Mayan People’s Movement Defeats Monsanto Law in Guatemala Terrace Farming – an Ancient Indigenous Model for Food Security Indigenous Elders Send Stern Message to UN Paris Delegates: Preventing 2°C Is Not Nearly Enough On remote Philippine island, female forest rangers are a force to be reckoned with USA: Standoff at Standing Rock: Even Attack Dogs Can’t Stop the Native American Resistance Le Congrès de l’UICN stimule les droits des peuples autochtones El Congreso de la UICN refuerza el apoyo a los derechos de los pueblos indígenas IUCN Congress boosts support for Indigenous peoples’ rights USA: Update from Standing Rock Colombia: When indigenous knowledge heals and prevents the wounds of war 16 Days of Activism: Meet Anne Marie Sam, Canada 16 Days of Activism: Meet Bertha Zúñiga Cáceres, Honduras For more recent articles, click here
This report was posted on October 28, 2014.